Jacksonville to host Championship Final
USA Rugby League is very excited to announce that the National Championship Game will take place in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida on August 29.
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By Julian Clarkstone
The Jacksonville Axemen’s bid to host the Championship match has been accepted. This will be the second year in a row that the Axemen have had the opportunity to host the final, after doing fantastic job in 2014.
Last year the Philadelphia Fight won 30-18 against the Axemen. This year the Axemen are hoping to go one better in front of a home crowd at the University of North Florida. Their chance to experience this will begin next week when they come up against the Central Florida Warriors in the first round of the USARL playoffs. Despite the allure of competing in front of a home crowd, the Axemen are committed to creating a memorable event regardless of whether their team is appearing in the National Championship.
Spinner Howland played a major role in getting the Championship Game to Jacksonville for the second year running. Howland Said, "We are excited to host the National Championship Game for the second consecutive year. It is a testament to the fans, supporters and sponsors who have supported the Jacksonville Axemen and Rugby League in Florida over the past 10 years."
The South Division playoffs begin this week and they are followed by the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic divisions next week. There are several teams across each division that are a threat in the playoffs so the race to the USA Rugby League Championship is wide open.
The 2015 Championship promises to be a great event, not only for the standard of rugby league, but for the off-field action as well. The gates will open at 4.30pm, with a curtain raiser game taking place at 5pm. Pre-game entertainment commences at 6.45pm with the Championship Game to start at 7pm. The Jacksonville Axe Maidens Cheerleaders will provide entertainment throughout the event and a post-game function will take place after 9pm.
The Axemen have plenty of knowledge of hosting major events, previously hosting the 2008 Australia Day Challenge, the 2009 Rhinos Stampede to Florida, three Rugby League Atlantic Cups and of course last year’s National Championship. The Axemen will draw on these experiences and have begun planning a city wide marketing campaign including television, radio and print mediums. Howland stated, “Additional support will be provided through a partnership with the City of Jacksonville to advertise the event.”
USARL and the Axemen are hoping to see a great crowd at the University of North Florida on August 29, which has the capacity to seat 2,500 people.
USARL Championship Game Details
- Gates Open – 4.30pm
- Curtain Raiser Game Kick Off – 5pm
- Pre-Game – 6.45pm
- National Championship Game Kick Off – 7pm
- Halftime Events Featuring Jacksonville Axe Maiden Cheerleaders – 7.45pm
- Fulltime Presentations – 8.45pm
- Post-Game Functions – 9pm onwards